Packaging of the Future

What do bamboo, sticks and banana leaves all have in common? They all are components used for environmentally friendly packaging. In Thailand this has been the norm for many street vendors for a long time. Meals, snacks and even desserts could be found served in containers made of leaves held together with sticks. Sadly as plastic became more popular and advertising became more important the use of green packaging diminished. Banana leaves make the perfect package for many reasons, these leaves are available in many places worldwide, they are flexible, they have a waxy texture to repell water and any other greasy substance and the most obvious reason, they are bio degradable and there for are eco friendly. Although this is more commonly found in the Asia and in eastern countries I believe this could have huge sucess in America.
Below is a picture of different packages made of of banana peels.

Information from: http://chezpim.com/pantry/green_packaging

Pictures from:http://www.loe.org/images/content/060331/hoebaitong.gif
http://stylefrizz.com/img/banana-leaf-sandwich-wrap.jpg

SusieCakes

Red Antler has taken on the project of redesigning California bakery SusieCakes identity. The company sells cakes, cup cakes, pastries cookies, pies ect. With multiple locations across California it was important for the company to make a strong impression so that existing customers would continue to keep their loyalty to the bakery. To make the brands logo Red Antler started by using icing and writing out the bakery's name to produce an identity that would be like no other. Below is an example of this:

To the left is SusieCakes original logo, to the right is what Red Antler has produced as the final product.

 

The end result got mixed feedback in my opinion the end result looks too much like something you would find in a grocery store. The brand loses their personality when you look at the type alone without any of the extra added elements. I like how they have gotten rid of the heart and unnecessary dotted line underneath of the logo. As well I like how the colours and symbols/added elements of the new logo give it the 1950's feel, which gives it a warm, home cooked feel to it. I also think they did a good job designing the female character that companies the logo. Altogether I feel like the company has been given an identity that has been polished and works as a system, but loses some of its personality on the way.

Other viewers had this to say about the new logo:

A definite downgrade in my opinion. The original mark has personality and I feel like the new one loses a lot of that. The application is wonderful though, and I love the Susie character. If they could utilize the old word mark (less the dotted line) with the new colors and applications, It'd be absolutely perfect. 

I LOVE it. The old logo had a 90's-ish diner script that was relatable, but the new 50's-ish script embodies Americana and shows a lot of love went into its design. Very deliberate and thought-out, but carefree at the same time. 

I loved the sweetness of the old logo - there is a warm, intimate feeling in the script. The new mark with the stencil feel looses that. Gives me the impression that the company went corporate. I would have loved to have just re lettered and updated the previous typography. 

Opinions from: www.underconsideration.com/brandnew/archives/susiecakes.php

Pictures from: http://redantler.com/work/susiecakes

Absolut Blank

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cUrGXZKVNGo&feature=relmfu

This video shortly shows some of the behind the scene action of a few of the artists part of the Absolut Blank Campaign. Each artist was given a blank canvas in the shape of the Absolute Vodka bottle and free reign of what media they chose to decorate the bottle in. Some used tradition media, such as paint and collage, others chose to create theirs using light installations and uncommon media.

An ap has has also been created where the user can upload sounds and photos to create their own Absolut Blank canvas and upload them to the gallery to share with others. Absolut has taken this campaign one step further and created Absolut Blank Live. This is motion tracking installation that follows your movements and turns them into graphics.

For more information visit:http://www.psfk.com/2011/11/absolut-blank-campaign-generates-opportunities-for-creative-expression.html

Photo from: https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFOItF0663ClVswnwgj1JeAMo8sNFWIFOIwtusu-g-DfoUSR75jQ9sfZQlITJucvUDk2-XQ5LkcUgWPWCzNIz_feECDxB_cAVgrDiSpASVb4bDfHOsfQbvtYBfGBRNygLnYrHNu9fTJZA/s1600/absolut.jpg

Design that Makes you Think

 The IQ alarm clock is a sure way to never miss class, work or an event. Unlike a normal alarm clock this one has no sleep or off button. Instead you must answer between 1-3 IQ testing questions depending on what you pre program it to be. If you think you'll just take the battery out to stop the alarm, think again. Designer Oliver Sha has thought through all possibilities. To take off the battery compartment you must press and hold a button for 30 seconds. Oliver says it best when he states that “This is an alarm you will love to hate.”

www.yankodesign.com/2011/02/23/morning-brain-gym/

Online Portfolios

While listening to presentations today, the one I found most relevant to myself right now was creating an online portfolio. I have also found an article on the most common problems of online portfolios according to a study of looking at 200 different virtual portfolios.

The most common problems were:

Navigation problems (32%)

The main navigation problem was using thumbnails, although this may look visually appealing it does not give the viewer and idea of what they will see when they click on the zoomed in picture. The full design isn't able to be seen and therefor fails because you dont know what your clicking on. Secondly another navigation problem is using plain text links. a viewer should be able to be able to find what they want to look at on your site quickly and not have to browse if they don't want to.

Contact Info (no phone number 32%) (no e-mial 23%)

If someone takes an interest in your work it is crucial that you give them a way to contact you. Without this you will never get clients.

Music (4%)

Even though you may like a certain song or sound, that doesn't mean that everyone who view your online portfolio will. This commonly leads to frustration and anger from the viewer.

http://astheria.com/design/my-last-portfolio-sucked-yours-might-too

Overdoing it

Less is more. Even if you want to showcase all of your work it is key that you only show the best ones. The viewer may not look at all of your pieces, so if you show only your best work, there is a better chance the potential client will see it. As well be clear and concise to your point. Win the viewer over in 10 seconds.

Presenting

From here on in presenting will become just as important as designing. For every idea and concept it will need to be presented to a client, employer or fellow co-worker. For my in class presentation tomorrow I want to make sure that it is captivating while retaining the needed information and comes across clear.

To do this I have found a helpful list:

Top Ten Delivery Tips 1. Show your passion   If I had only one tip to give, it would be to be passionate about your topic and let that enthusiasm come out. Yes, you need great content. Yes, you need professional, well designed visuals. But it is all for naught if you do not have a deep, heartfelt belief in your topic. The biggest item that separates mediocre presenters from world class ones is the ability to connect with an audience in an honest and exciting way. Don't hold back. Be confident. And let your passion for your topic come out for all to see. 2. Start strong   You've heard it before: First impressions are powerful. Believe it. The first 2-3 minutes of the presentation are the most important. The audience wants to like you and  they will give you a few minutes at the beginning to engage  -- don't miss the opportunity. Most presenters fail here  because they ramble on too long about superfluous  background information or their personal/professional etc. 3. Keep it short   Humans have short attention spans when it comes  to passively sitting and listening to a speaker.  Audience attention is greatest at the opening and then  againwhen you say something like "In conclusion...."  This is just the human condition, especially so for  the busy (often tired) knowledge worker of today.  So, if you have 30 minutes for your talk, finish in  25 minutes. It is better to have the audience wanting  more (of you) than to feel that they have had more than   enough. Professional entertainers know this very well. 4. Move away from the podium   Get closer to your audience by moving away from or in  front of the podium. The podium is a barrier between you  and the audience, but the goal of our presentation is to  connect with the audience. Removing physical barriers  between you and the audience will help you build rapport  and make a connection. 5. Use a remote-control device   To advance your slides and builds, use a small, handheld  remote. A handheld remote will allow you to move away from the podium. This is an absolute must. Keyspan has  two good ones. I highly recommend the  Keyspan Presentation Remote. Many people like the  Interlink remote as well. 6. Remember the “B” key   If you press the “B” key while your PowerPoint or Keynote  slide is showing, the screen will go blank. This is useful if  you need to digress or move off the topic presented on the  slide. By having the slide blank, all the attention can now  be placed back on you. When you are ready to move on,  just press the “B” key again and the image reappears. 7. Make good eye contact   Try looking at individuals rather than scanning the group.  Since you are using a computer, you never need to look  at the screen behind you — just glance down at the  computer screen briefly. One sure way to lose an  audience is to turn your back on them. And while you're  maintaining great eye contact, don't forget to smile as  well. Unless your topic is very grim, a smile can be  a very powerful thing. 8. Keep the lights on   If you are speaking in a meeting room or a classroom,  the temptation is to turn the lights off so that the slides  look better. But go for a compromise between a bright  screen image and ambient room lighting. Turning the  lights off — besides inducing sleep — puts all the focus  on the screen. The audience should be looking at you  more than the screen. Today’s projectors are bright  enough to allow you to keep many of the lights on. 9. Use a TV for small groups   If you are presenting to a small group, then you can  connect your computer to a large TV (via the s-video line -in). With a TV screen, you can keep all or most of the lights on. Make sure your text and graphics are large enough to be seen on the small the screen. You will probably have to increase the type size significantly 10. At all times: courteous, gracious, & professional   When audience members ask questions or give comments, you should be gracious and thank them for their input.  Even if someone is being difficult, you must keep to the high ground and at all times be a gentleman or lady and courteously deal with such individuals. The true professional can always remain cool and in control. Remember, it is your  reputation, so always remain gracious even with the most  challenging of audiences.

For more helpful tips visit:http://www.garrreynolds.com/Presentation/delivery.html